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THIS WEEK RTÉ One launched its next season and, while Tubs was busy mugging for the camera, TheJournal.ie sat down with the new boss at the country’s most-watched TV station.
Channel controller Adrian Lynch has been in the job at Montrose for less than a year after leaving his post as managing director of Animo Television, which supplied the channel with programmes like Celebrity Bainisteoir and The Secret Millionaire.
While earlier today we revealed how Lynch and soon-to-be TV host Joe Duffy were at odds on the tight broadcast restrictions applied to referendums, we also had a few more questions for the station chief.
Here’s what he had to say about the next Love/Hate (or more of the existing one), licence fees, pro-government bias at the state broadcaster and, of course, the Angelus:
TJ: How are you finding the shift from running your own TV company to working for the state broadcaster?
AL: “When you’re running your own company, as any business owner knows, you have your ups and your downs, sometimes things are going well, sometimes things aren’t. I’ve worked in television all my life so I’m very passionate about that.
“This is looking at it on a more macro scale in terms of running a channel, but also it is a publicly-funded channel so we’re accountable to the public in the decisions we make. It’s a lot more responsibility because you’re not just responsible for your direct employees, but it’s a really exciting challenge.”
Who do you look at as your biggest competition – and who do you keep an eye on most closely?
“There’s two answers to that. One is that we compete against about 801 channels already so it’s an intensely competitive market but obviously we have TV3 and UTV in the home market, we have Sky who have a big presence here. But also within that, we’re very much committed to investing more money in programme making.
“But you (also) have the UK channels which have (their) channels here and they take about 25% of all commercial income out of Ireland without investing a euro in it, so that’s €15 million a year that’s going out that Irish broadcasters could actually be using to put really high-quality programming in their schedules.”
Have you watched UTV Ireland, and, if so, what do you think of what they’ve been doing so far?
“I think getting a station to air is a big job in itself and I would never underestimate our competition, I think that’s lazy and complacent. I don’t know what the original vision was, but I think they’re maybe revising certain elements within that. But, you know, they have two big English soaps in there that bring in audiences so we’ll see how they build on it after that.”
One thing you often hear from the public about RTÉ is a resentment of having to pay TV licence money for the state broadcaster, whether they watch it or not. Do you think that RTÉ provides value-for-money for all those licence holders?
“I think when you look at the licence fee … I think it’s about 33c a day so when you’re operating that many television channels, that many radio stations, orchestras, and it really is very central to Irish life… even just speaking from an RTÉ One point of view, it’s interesting being in the charter now, you really get a detailed view of the breadth of engagement it has with the Irish public, from news and current affairs to drama to entertainment.
“Coming from my programme-making background, I want to invest in more programming. I absolutely think there’s value. The more income we get, if the commercial income rises, for example, or there’s more efficiencies within the licence fee, that will be reinvested into programming on the screens.”
Another perception is that, whether it’s because of the funding model or the fact it’s a state broadcaster, RTÉ is a pro-government mouthpiece, particularly on big issues like, most-recently, water charges. Do you accept that with the way RTÉ is structured there’s an inherent bias in what you do?
“I suppose that’s always an argument with public-service broadcasters – is there a bias, is there more bias? I think RTÉ provides an absolutely independent and impartial news and current affairs service. Even if you look at the way the referendum was dealt with, everything was counted down to the second so it is different to being in a privately-owned newspaper… so I would rebut that (suggestion).”
Love/Hate was a really big hit for RTÉ One, what do you think is going to be your next Love/Hate?
“It’s an interesting question. Love/Hate was such a phenomenal success … there has been five series of that made, which is amazing, and it didn’t peak out earlier in the way. If you look at something like Fawlty Towers they only did two series of that and then they just left it alone, they didn’t go back.
“I would never say never with Love/Hate. Stuart Carolan, who is the real creative, driving force behind it, he went off to write a feature film, Skippy Dies … I’d never say never in the coming two years, but at the moment we’re really focussed on offering a diverse drama (range) to the audience.
“I think in Clean Break and Rebellion we can see the fact that we do absolutely different things … they’re very different kinds of dramas, so we’re not just sticking to one thing and I think that’s hugely important.”
What has been RTÉ One’s biggest success in the time you’ve been there?
“My background is that I would have done a lot of big factual stuff. Over the summer we had legacies for example, which was your documentary with Páidí Ó Sé, Tony Ryan, Brian Lenihan, so that kind of serial that is blue-chip, well-made, very well produced and provides an insight into things, that would be the first little sample. But coming into the autumn now we’ve got over 53 titles to launch, which is more than we’ve launched in a long time.”
What’s the biggest flop or disappointment that you’ve had – and what have you learned from it?
“It’s interesting, I’m only coming into my first autumn now so we’ll catch up at Christmas time. Making television is not an easy thing … to make quality television, maybe 85% of the time you get it right but the other 15%, sometimes the team doesn’t quite blend or the access that you had initially is suddenly more restricted or you’ve got the wrong person directing it, or all of those sorts of things, and then you find yourself in a different place to the one you imagined you would be in.”
What’s your favourite programme on any station on TV right now?
“Right now… I quite liked (Channel 4/AMC’s) Humans, I thought that was kind of OK. I tell you one thing that I think is going to be fantastic is this Recruits documentary series that’s going to be on RTÉ One – I’ve seen both the cuts from that and it’s just so strong, so raw and so real. It’s first-class, authentic storytelling. It’s going to be one to watch and I think it’s going to make quite big impact.”
When it comes to the presenters and personalities you have on RTÉ One at the moment, who do you think is the best?
“I don’t think there are best people, I think people do very different things. If you look across our schedule and you look at presenters like Clare Byrne and Miriam (O’Callaghan) or David McCullagh or Ryan Tubridy, they all do different things, so I don’t think there’s a best. And different audiences engage with them in different ways … some people love them and some people hate them, but they all do the job to a very high standard. It’s about having that diversity and breadth within the schedule.”
Is it difficult balancing the wants of all your big names? For instance, Brendan O’Connor didn’t seem too happy with losing his Saturday night slot to Ray D’Arcy…
“I don’t think so, we have a very good relationship with all the talent. I think if you’re straight with them they are impressed. Also I would say that we have big names but we also have a lot of people within the schedule who do a fantastic job for us, so the talent spread is very diverse.”
And last question, what do you think of the Angelus?
“In terms of the Angelus, we’re setting up this (commissioning process) so that’s an opportunity for everyone to pitch in … to do their creative work and I think that’s good to open it out. So the Angelus is one of our most-controversial programmes.”
But what’s your personal view?
“I don’t have a personal view on it actually, because I think when you get into running a channel it’s not about what I think, it’s about what the audience thinks. So that’s what we listen to.”
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Cardiac arrest in a bottle
@Gavin Tobin: Agreeing with you again Gavin. “Energy drinks” are pure poison.
I can buy a double espresso and put as many sugars as I like in it.
Who’s brave enough to stop me?!
@Kevin O’Connor: the tooth fairy!
@Clark Griswold: Flouride in the water to reduce cavities :) :(
@Kevin O’Connor: The little cup will!
@Kevin O’Connor: Nah, gotta drink espresso straight man. I used to always bung sugar into my coffee but it tastes so much better without
@Kevin O’Connor: probably your heart mate
@Kevin O’Connor:
DUH
These really shouldn’t be available to anyone under 18, they are so dangerous.
@Helen O’Neill: totally agree they are poison
@Helen O’Neill: why are they dangerous ….when you are on the go all day a monster gives you a boost …..sugar content gets burned of with activity ….if you sitting in office all day they would do nothing
Really … Who would have thought they wouldn’t be good for you
@Joe Shea: who would have thought putting a tax on them wouldn’t work. Same as adding more tax to fuel this week won’t work.
@eoin carroll: the sugar tax works. You need to tax it enough to raise the price by 20% and this has been shown to produce a 20% reduction in consumption.
If the manufacturers change the recipe to reduce the sugar content then that is also a success. If they increase the volume then this is a separate issue that will need work, but it has been a success. They need to raise the sugar tax a lot.
@Will Rymer: do you thinking removing the tax from water and healthy options would work?
So they get all jumped up about the sweeter flavours in vaping attracting young people and people want it banned but when it comes to a proven fact about adverse health effects of sugar in energy drinks (on top of documented cardiac arrest on football pitches)) attributed to these drinks) it’s only a recommendation that under 16s don’t drink them. Why not slap an under 18s ban on them.
@Brendan Hughes: I was in Lidl one day when a group of children attempted to buy these drinks on the way home from school.The checkout assistant told them to put them back as they were not allowed to sell them to children,so at least some retailers are doing the right thing and being responsible.
@Honeybee: lidl and I think also Aldi has a policy in that regard September last year they announced it. Supervalu dunnes and tesco were asked if they would follow suit but they didn’t see fit to.
@Brendan Hughes: I was surprised and pleased to see this happen, it is not often you witness a shop implement such a good call in favour of children’s well being.
Fueling IT departments worldwide. I think ours have resorted to buying their Red Bull in Bulk from the local cash and carry
@Norman Cult: Have to admit.. I don’t understand “energy” drinks.. like.. what’s the point of them? They don’t give any energy boosts in my experience, and I’ve tried a number of them.
Should increase Double Tax & Drink Fizzy-drink high caffeine are unhealthy
Diabetes doubling, Endocronologist Donal O’Shea saying that cals have to be put on everything but Govt. won’t agree to that.
Oh, and that ‘Health protein Bar in your supermarket and Health shop is stacked full of sugar under the various different names.
PLUS ~ 2 Diet Coke drinks per week increases likelihood of Dementia by 70% or more. Stick with the oul Tea and none of your fancy Latte s and expensive coffee.
@Rosie: Colorant e150d is Sulphite Ammonia Caramel. Sulphur Dioxide and Sulphites are classed together as an allergen but if less than 10mg/kg or 10ml/l they do not have to be labelled. SO2 / Sulphites are the only allergen allowed to be hidden as far as I am aware. EFSA are reviewing sulphites because there is a suspicion they are being over-consumed.
@Gavin Tobin: Thanks for this. I am already allergic to many of these additives hence, I read labels. Interesting reference, thanks again.
@Rosie: Most peoples reaction to sulphites are not IgE allergies. I have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and react to sulphites but i am not allergic to them. All the following ingredients have or may have hidden sulphites.
Glucose Syrup / Fructose Syrup / High Fructose Corn Syrup / Corn Syrup / Cornflour / Maltodextrin / Dextrose / Baking Powder / Gelatine / Maize Starch* / Citric Acid (synthetic), Colourants in food & drink e.g. E150b, E150d
Under EU regulations <10mg/kg or <10ml/L do not have to be labelled.
*Used as an excipient (filler/binder) in many tablets.
Labelled sulphites include Cider, Wine & Sausages.
SO2 also a component of diesel exhaust.
Should these and other drinks be legally obliged to display caffeine content on the packaging, I would have thought yes, especially considering the level some of them are at.
@Eddie O’Neill: They do show caffeine content, usually typically printed something like “32mg caffeine/100ml” for example
@Dan Skelton: Do they, this can of diet coke I’m looking at does not anyway, maybe some others do
@Eddie O’Neill: in other jurisdictions it states “46mg/12fl oz”
Depends on the local laws
It really scares me when I see children drinking this crap, either ban them or restrict to over 18s.
Lethal for your body
People need to stop buying into these constant fear mongering articles over energy drinks. It all depends on the specific person, what that drink, and how much of it they consume. I’ve drank energy drinks since I was 14-15 and I’m 26 and the ONLY thing it’s ever done is I’m just immune to the buzz it gives. But these vary from person to person, while someone could drink them and be fine, another could be completely the opposite. Just don’t over do them I.e. drink more than 2-3 in a day, brush those teeth and you’ll be fine.
@Dan Skelton: It hardly helps the weight/BMI of the person drinking them. Just because you didnt get majorly ill , it doesnt mean they are ok
@Dan Skelton: You’re only 26. The effects could hit you down the line.
Just buy the sugar free versions. White Monster only has 15 calories in a can!
@Grand: Love the white Monster! I think it has a much nicer crisp taste tbh. Don’t get me wrong I still love the original green though.
@Grand: Sugar free means they are full of alternative sweeteners!
@Saorlaith: and?
Monster is great for energy for the gym – although the sugarfree version is a better choice.
Red bull is also great to fend off tiredness and short energy bursts.
These things have their purpose
@thomas patrick: contrary to wide belief, sugar is actually ideal around workouts. Pre Intra and post.
Got me through college
@Fergus O’Connor: hope they didn’t get you on the road to diabetes and obesity too!
All I know is 7UP tastes as pissy as Sprite now that it uses sweeteners and don’t get me started on the washing up liquid taste of Lucozade.
So bleedin wha?
I very rarely buy any of these but when I do it’s because of the high sugar and caffeine content… At least now I know which ones are a waste of time
There is also 7 teaspoons of sugar in a can of coke. I always found it odd the amount of people who commented on the sugar content of the red bull I drank as they guzzled a can of coke…the same people who would “hilariously” ask if I was on a diet if I drank Diet Coke.
Seems http://www.smileclubhq.com will be busy… crazy amount of sugar.
Instead of highering the price why dont they just ban the drinks!! They are so unhealthy and would cost the tax payer less in the long run. Oh and here is a thought lower the price of healthy food!! That will have a bigger impact on people’s health.
Just buy the sugar free versions! White Monster only has 15 calories in a can!
@Grand: Duplicate comment because my phone said there was an issue posting my comment the first time. Unable to delete comments apparently.
@Grand: it’s so annoying when you halfway type a comment and accidentally hit the return key cos it posts anyway
@Grand: Ultra Zero has none
No coke cola?? Fanta??
It’s fake energy. “Energy drink” =half a bag of sugar.
No laws enforced for age limits if there even is a law.
This article will give the health minister ideas to tax the shïtë out of energy drinks.
I remember seeing people drink up to 8 cans a day of Monster during the college day. Unbelievable really
@Ed: That’s an exaggeration. 6 or more would kill you.
Mountain Dew listed is the sugar free version, the normal one has around 33g of sugar or about 8 spoons of sugar
Monster Zero Ultra has no Sugar. And no Calories. And taste better than Mountain Dew.
What silly bastids actually drink this shit?!
@Luke Skinnader: what is a bastid
Seems as if half the country is knackered and trying to stay alert. Maybe it’s time to bring in legislation to allow for paid breaks?
Bull semen. Sure whatever you’re havin’ yer self
https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health-you-asked/it-true-taurine-energy-drinks-extracted-bull-semen
Sure you can get the sugar and calorie free monster problem solved
Its healthier than vaping and smoking and I’m sure most people who have comments do one or the other!
have your say